They Pass Jobs To Each Other
By hereandthere
@hereandthere (45645)
Philippines
May 28, 2017 10:44am CST
When I asked the repairman who fixed our washing machine if he can also check our refrigerator, he apologized that he doesn't do them, but offered to send someone else, another repairman who has a shop a few streets away from his.
It turns out they have a business agreement. He repairs electric fans, washing machines and TVs, while the other repairman specializes in refrigerators and air-conditioners. If anyone drops by their shop asking to service a home appliance they don't do, they refer them to the other.
It's a good arrangement for small neighborhood repair shops like them, especially for the washing machine repairman who pays rent for his shop space.
Did you ever have a small business and a business partner or arrangement like this?
17 people like this
20 responses
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
28 May 17
I've never been a business owner, but I think it's great that the two shops refer customers to one another. When I worked in retail, we always tried to recommend one of the neighbouring shops if we didn't have what a customer wanted. It's helpful to the client and even if the favour is not returned, it's nice to help a neighbour 
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
28 May 17
that's what they also do at the wet market. if you're buying say 5 kinds of vegetables at one stall and they only have 3 of them, they will point you to the next stall.
2 people like this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
28 May 17
@hereandthere It's a good practice. I appreciate it when a vendor will refer me like that. It's easier for me, as a customer. And I know that this business is one that values something other than the bottom line.
I know some people who work in chain stores where they can actually get into trouble for referring a customer to another store if they don't have an item. That's a serious turn off to me. I try not to do business with places that chastise customers for doing what we generally accept to be an ethical thing that nurtures business in the long run.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
28 May 17
@Ruby3881 here, it's common to ask the businesses next to you to break a large bill so you can give change to your customer. those who set up street stands also watch each other's wares if they have to leave for a while.
@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
28 May 17
It is a good way of doing business with each other. They will be good because they both want to guard their reputations!
3 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
28 May 17
yeah, i thought of that, too. one would be ashamed if the other did a bad job.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
29 May 17
they usually know two or three tasks - carpentry, plumbing and electricals - but then to concentrate on one or two specialties.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
28 May 17
Yes, some years ago, we had an automotive electrical repair shop and we refer jobs to other shops; it's just a give and take process; they also refer customers to us.
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
29 May 17
exactly. that's the phrase i was looking for - give and take.
who ran your auto shop, your husband?
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
29 May 17
my mother did ask the washing machine repairman to only refer people who are trustworthy.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
1 Jun 17
i'm sure they're also choosy on who to "partner with" so they don't embarrass each other and lose clients.
@prashu228 (37524)
• India
28 May 17
No I don't have any .
It's good for them if they pass the jobs like that, both get the work.
Have a great day
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
28 May 17
yes, especially when he told us how high his rent was. this way, they both have a stream of jobs to do.
1 person likes this
@shivamani10 (11035)
• Hyderabad, India
28 May 17
yes. This is the problem we are facing them here. They do not visit home and take up the work. They refer it to somebody.l
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
29 May 17
because the washing machine repairman only does washing machines, electric fans and tvs, while the other one only does refrigerators and airconditioners.
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
29 May 17
True..Word of moth works a lot in small places where to live too
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36003)
• Philippines
28 May 17
Good that they divided the tasks and good that they have specifications.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
29 May 17
yes, and that is good. they know their own capabilities to fix an item and not force doing it for monetary gains.
1 person likes this
